Industrial design protection in Finland

Industrial design protection in Finland is crucial for creators and businesses seeking to safeguard their innovative designs. Finland is a country that has many advantages for developing all kinds of industrial designs. Finland has a long tradition of product design, with many world-renowned brands such as Marimekko, Iittala, and Artek. Finnish designers are known for their creativity, aesthetics, and focus on sustainability. Finland is a high-tech country with many of the world’s leading technology companies such as Nokia and Rovio. Knowledge and experience in the field of technology can be applied to develop innovative and advanced industrial design products. Finland also has the potential to develop industrial designs in areas such as furniture, fashion, toys, and games. With a combination of design tradition, cutting-edge technology, and environmental awareness, Finland can become a world-leading industrial design center. The Finnish government has many supportive policies for the creative industry, including industrial design. These policies include financial support, counseling, and training. Therefore, more and more businesses and individuals need to register industrial designs in Finland, Viet An Law would like to provide preliminary guidance to customers through the article below under Industrial Design Law.

Definition of industrial design in Finland

In Finland, industrial design is defined as the aesthetic form of a product. This includes shapes, configurations, patterns, decorations, or any combination of these elements. The design must be new and personal in order to be eligible for registration and protection under the Finnish Industrial Design Law. Some of the key elements in the definition of an industrial design in Finland include:

• Features: While aesthetics are important, industrial designs in Finland also consider the product’s features. The design should enhance the usability of the product and the overall user experience.
• Innovation: Finnish industrial design values innovation and originality. The design should bring something new to the market and not just a copy of existing products.
• Sustainability: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable design methods in Finland. Designers are encouraged to consider the environmental impact of their creations and strive for eco-friendly solutions.

Conditions for Industrial design registration in Finland

• Novelty: The design must be new. This means that it cannot be identical to any design that has been publicly announced before the filing date or priority date (if preference is required).
• Individuality: The design must be personal. This means that it must create an overall impression that is different to the knowledgeable user than any design that has been publicly announced before the filing date or priority date.
• Not Excluded by Law: Designs are not excluded from registration due to being contrary to public or ethical policy, or include only specifications.

Types of industrial designs that can be registered in Finland

• Two-dimensional styling: Includes patterns, patterns, and graphic icons that can be applied to the product.
• Three-dimensional design: Includes the shape, configuration, or decoration of the product itself.
• Combining two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs: Refers to designs that incorporate both two-dimensional elements (such as patterns or graphics) and three-dimensional features (such as the shape of a product).

Some examples can register industrial designs such as: Furniture, Home Appliances, Electronics, Vehicles, Clothing, Jewelry, Packaging, Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Application for Industrial design registration in Finland

• Application Form: The application form includes the following information:
  • Name, address, nationality and contact information of the applicant (and representative, if applicable);
  • Title of industrial design;
  • Specifies the products to which the style will be applied (Product Type).
  • International Classification Code for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification).
• Representative image of the style:
  • Drawings, photographs, or other graphic images of the design.
  • These images need to clearly represent all angles of the style (front, back, side, top, bottom, perspective, etc.).
  • A maximum of 7 images can be submitted.
• Priority documentation (if applicable): If a priority claim is from a previous application filed in another country, the applicant will need to submit a certified copy of the previous application.
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If the applicant files through a representative (e.g., attorney or intellectual property representative), the applicant will need to provide a power of attorney that allows them to act on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents, if any:
  • Copyright claim (if the applicant is not the creator of the design).
  • The transfer document (if the rights to the design have been transferred).

Fees for Industrial design registration in Finland

The fee for registering an industrial design in Finland varies depending on the number of design groups and applicants filing online or through other methods. Currently, there are a few costs as follows:

• Application fee (submit online): €260
• Application fee (other channels): €310
• Registration fee: €100
• Renewal fee: €400

Industrial design registration in Finland under the Hague Agreement

What is the Hague Agreement on the Industrial design registration?

The Hague Agreement on the Industrial design registration (referred to as the Hague Agreement) is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This agreement provides an international registration system for industrial designs that makes it easy for individual designers and businesses to protect their designs on a global scale.

Benefits of registering industrial design protection through the Hague Agreement

• Simple: Instead of having to file an individual application in each country, the applicant only needs to file a single application in one language (English, French or Spanish) and pay in one currency (Swiss franc) to apply for protection in multiple member states.
• Savings: Significantly reduces costs compared to filing individual applications in each country.
• Centralized Management: Easily manage the applicant’s portfolio of registered industrial designs through a single system.
• Flexibility: The applicant can choose the countries in which you want to protect your industrial design.

Dossier of registration for protection of industrial designs under the Hague Agreement

A dossier for registration of an industrial design under the Hague Agreement includes the following documents:

• International Registration Declaration:
  • The applicant completes the application according to WIPO’s prescribed form in one of three languages: English, French or Spanish.
  • In the application, it is necessary to clearly specify the application for protection under the 1999 Document or the 1960 Document of the Hague Agreement.
  • List the countries in which the applicant wishes to protect his industrial design.
• Images or drawings of the industrial design: the image needs to clearly and fully show the perspectives of the industrial design that the applicant wants to register. The applicant also needs to pay attention to ensuring the quality of good and clear images or drawings.
• Documentation of payment of fees: The applicant notes that the international registration fee should be paid in accordance with WIPO regulations.

If you wish to apply for industrial design registration, patent registration, trademark registration, please contact Viet An Law for the most effective support.